Hard to speak of happiness
I’d been married to Henry Harrison for eight
years.
He’d brought ninety–nine women home during
that time.
I stared at number one hundred, a young,
pretty girl, standing in my living room.
She looked at me defiantly, then turned to
Henry.
“Honey, is this your useless wife everyone
talks about?”
Henry leaned back in his chair, a lazy “Yep”
escaping his lips.
The girl sauntered over and patted my cheek,
a smirk playing on her lips.
“Tonight, you’ll learn what a real woman
sounds like.”
That night, I was forced to listen to their
moans echoing through the house.
The next morning, Henry, as usual, told me to
make breakfast.
I refused.
He seemed to have forgotten our marriage
was a business arrangement.
And today was three days before the contract
ended.
Henry looked surprised by my refusal.
く
It was the first time in eight years I’d denied
him anything.
He sized me up, a puzzled expression on his
face.
“Mia Williams, did last night fry your brain or
something?”
I stayed silent, my gaze unwavering.
After a moment, my stare seemed to unnerve
him.
He waved a dismissive hand.
“Fine, don’t make it. Stop staring, it’s
creepy.”
He called the housekeeper to prepare
<
breakfast.
Yesterday’s girl sashayed towards me, a
triumphant grin on her face.
“So, how was the show last night? Exciting?”
Before she could continue, Henry pulled her
back.
“Don’t be rude. Go get ready for breakfast.”
She just raised an eyebrow at me, her eyes
brimming with smugness.
At the breakfast table, Henry and the girl
were all over each other.
I kept my head down, my mind racing,
planning my escape.
L
Suddenly, I felt a tap on my arm.
I looked up to see Henry standing there, a
frown etched on his face.
“What are you thinking about so hard?” he
asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
I hesitated for a second before answering
honestly.
“I’m thinking about what to do next.
Henry scoffed.
دو
“What can you do? Besides cleaning and
cooking, you’re useless.”
His words, dripping with disdain, didn’t even
sting
I’d become immune to his insults over the
years.
For eight years, I’d revolved my life around
him, neglecting my own dreams and
aspirations.
I’d almost forgotten who I used to be.
Eight years ago, my mother was critically ill,
and I desperately needed money.
Henry appeared like a knight in shining, albeit
slightly tarnished, armor.
He offered me five hundred thousand dollars.
The price? Marrying him, becoming his beard
for the Harrison family.
<
For my mother, I agreed.
For eight years, I’d watched him parade a
string of women through our home.
Once, drunk, he’d looked at me with unusual
seriousness.
“Mia, we’re from different worlds. Don’t get
any ideas.”
I used to think he was incapable of love.
Then, last year, I learned about his deceased
first love, Jennifer.
Yesterday’s girl bore a striking resemblance
to Jennifer.
So, seeing them together at breakfast didn’t
Г
It just solidified my resolve to leave.
Henry snapped his fingers in front of my face,
pulling me from my thoughts.
“I said, what are you thinking about?”
I blinked, refocusing on him.
“I’m thinking about getting a job,” I said
calmly.
He snorted.
“You? Maybe you could clean toilets at
Harrison Corp. You’re not even as good as
Molly, fresh out of college.”
I opened my mouth to retort, but just then.
<
Molly emerged from the bedroom.
“Henry, honey, how do I look in this?”
She was wearing one of the dresses Henry
bought every year in memory of Jennifer.
The last time I’d touched it while cleaning,
he’d slapped me.
Now, he gazed at Molly with undisguised
admiration.
“Beautiful, baby. You can wear whatever you
want underneath.”
Molly preened, then turned to me with a smug
smile.
“Mia, do you think it looks good on me?”
L
I nodded sincerely.
“Yes, it suits you.‘
“”
My genuine response seemed to throw her
off.
Before she could recover, I turned and
headed back to my room.
Three more days, and I would be free. Time to
pack.
